During the rule of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), Li Chong served as prime minister. He was loyal and devoted to the court and dealt with things carefully and properly. The Emperor trusted him very much and let him handle any business as he saw fit.
Later Li Chong passed away. Losing his right-hand man all of a sudden, Emperor Xiaowen, lonely and desolate, was very unhappy. He did not know who he could let handle the affairs of state.
One day, Emperor Xiaowen went out and passed by the tomb of Li Chong. Looking at this tomb, the Emperor was reminded of Li Chong’s loyalty and thoroughness and could not help grieving all over again. He said emotionally, “Li Chong was loyal, reliable, and high-minded. He could handle any business that I enjoined him. Even if I led the army and went into battle, I had no fear that any disturbance would occur in the court as long as Li Chong administered the government affairs. Then I had no worries of disturbance in the rear. Now he has passed away, and who can I depend on?”
This idiom comes from Chronicles of theNorthernWeiDynasty:BiographyofLi Chong. It is used to describe a person who does not feel anxious about things at home or anticipate a disturbance in the rear.
